What new Voigtlander RF or SLR product would you like to see?

I'd love a compact Leica CL-ish film rangefinder. Personally, I'd dig a square format but I doubt it would sell.

Edit: Also, a quality 135mm LTM or M-mount lens for my M3!





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Edit II: OK, sorry, didn't read the first post! Still, since I wrote this already, I'll let it stand...Bessa digital desires follow...

The market, however, needs the camera that the Leica M8 should have been. The Epson isn't it, either. Since Cosina is not constrained by Leica's branding/heritage issues, perhaps they could make the ultra-tough, modern-but-extraordinarily simple digital rangefinder camera many of us want.

Probably bulkier than the traditional M camera by a bit. Made of sturdy metal or composite (built like a Glock...plastic, but less expensive, ligher, tougher, and more resilient than traditional metal construction.) Traditional film speed dials/controls, ISO selection via wheel, with a detachable LCD unit for reviewing photos and mucking about with file formats and other options. Possibly a selectable spotmeter/CW meter. Shutter cocking via thumb lever, Cosina's trigger winder, or an optional small motor winder.

Optimized for shooting .raw so there's no white balance issue, or else have a WB wheel concentric with the ISO. Two models, one with a 1:1 finder, the other for wide-angle work. 1.3 or lower crop factor; anything over that will lose sales IMHO. A sensor without artefacts or IR sensitivity issues.

Dunno if it's a feasible thing for them, but it'd sure be a purchase for me.
 
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You can build a double accessory shoe yourself, just grab some plastic flash shoes (or anything that has a shoe on it) from the discount bin at your local photo supplier. I got a dozen or so of them for 1 EUR off eBay and have been using them all the time for building stuff that needs to go into the accessory shoe.
 
I'd like to see the Voigtlander RF equivalent of Nikon's FM2, i.e. aperture priority AE with batteries but retaining all speeds when batteries are out. Looking for shining LED triangles is not my idea of AE. I don't mind the camera getting a bit larger since it's a bit too thin right now anyway.
 
Cosina should still have the toolings for compact 35mm leaf-shuttered RF compacts; a modern interpretation of the B-series Vito Automatic would be nice, kind of a counterpoint to the 6X9 folder.
 
KoNickon said:
Well, I noticed as I started reading through this long thread again that back in April of last year I had asked for a medium format folder with switchable masking and the Heliar, and even proposed calling it Bessa III. Completely forgot -- and thanks, Cosina, for making it happen. Can't afford it now, though.

So, let me try again: Why not a TLR with the 3.5 Heliar? Or a Color Skopar would be OK, I guess, but the Heliar would be really something. I suppose 12/24 is too much to ask, but why not? I can't recall if the Bessa III takes 220. Crank wind, knob focus, f2.8 viewing lens, meter (TTL through the viewing lens would be totally great). Call it Brilliant or Superb, for old time's sake.

I know this sounds like a Rollei, but I'd buy a new TLR that's not a Seagull and lots less than the latest Rolleiflex.
Click to expand...

It does sound like an interesting idea - I'd like to see a new TLR too, but reasonably priced, not like current Bessa III 667.
 
Updated minifinders and finders for single focal lengths incorporating a decent foot lock to prevent loss and damage.
 
1) A top quality 35mm manual focus SLR with Pentax-K mount (think Bessaflex, not VSL43)

2) A pocket 35 (folder?) with terrific lens (think Contax T, but more lightweight)

Chris
 
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How about something in the line of a Contax G2? I like the concept of an autofocusing rangefinder camera; film and digital.
 
From reading this thread again, it's obvious that lots of us are interested in smaller, lighter CV rangefinders... Fun for us for everyday truly pocketable cameras, and certainly it would be a new profit niche for the company... And maybe the birth of a new high quality fix lenses miniRFs line...

Let's hope Mr. K sooner or later will be giving us a fabulous surprise!
 
I would like to see a new R-D1 with full format 24/36 sensor :)
A little bit better than the M9 for less then 2000.- euro :)

i´m a dreamer, right ?
 
The 75/2.5 Color Heliar in a 1.5

The 90/3.5 APO Lanthar in a 2.0

Reintroduce the Mini 28/35 finder for all those who will want it for the Leica X1 and the GR-DIII.
 
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As a dedicated Nikon, Contax and Kiev user I would like to see the addition of the following VC rangefinder cameras:

(i) A revamped Bessa 4A in S-Mount. This would incorporate frames for the 21/25/28 and 35 focal lengths. With or without a meter and AE. This camera would make it far easier to use my lovely, but as yet under-utilised, wide-angle lenses to their very greatest potential.

(ii) A body that is easy to use as the Leica M2 in S-mount. This would incorporate frames for the 35, 50 and 85 and (this would be a first) the 105 mm focal lengths. It would also save me the expense of a Nikon SP in addition to my S3 2000 re-issue camera body. A Contax-version of this S-mount camera would be a super addition, to this line-up too.

(iii) A body that is as versatile as the Leica M3 in S-mount. This camera would have a wide EBL and be capable of accurate focusing for fast 50s, the 85, the 105 and (the sadly neglected but much loved 135). A meter and AE in this camera would make it an even stronger package.

These suggestions could be subject to fine-tuning at a design stage and incorporate the more focused suggestions made elsewhere in this thread. If VC versions of these S and C-mount cameras could be produced I would never need to buy an ‘M’ camera!

East/West, South/North. These products would make photographers such as myself very happy and would add to VC’s growing reputation as the cutting edge company.

 
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